Life-cycle aphids

Fig. 5.26. Life cycle of rosy apple aphid Dysaphis plantaginea).

Fig. 5.28. Life cycle of rosy leaf-curling aphid (Dysaphis spp.).

Fig. 5.30. Life cycle of apple grass aphid Rhopalosiphum insertum).

Fig. 5.31. Life cycle of green apple aphid Aphis pomi).

Fig. 5. 33. Life cycle of woolly aphid [Eriosoma lanigerum).

Predatory insects such as lady beetles or ground beetles eat many other insects during their life cycles. Some have restricted tastes for example, aphid midges feed only on aphids. Others, like praying mantids or assassin bugs, may be able to eat almost any species of insect they catch. These general predators often eat pollen as well and may suck plant juices when food is scarce or they need water. 

Life Cycle Females lay eggs among aphids eggs hatch in 2-3 days larvae feed on aphids for 3-4 weeks, then drop to the soil to pupate. Adults emerge after 2 weeks. Two to 4 generations per year. 

The incomplete or three-stage life-cycle as found in plant bugs (aphids and capsids) (Fig. 7.5). 

Some aphids at certain times of the year have an even shorter life-cycle giving birth to Uve young this can lead to a very rapid increase in pest numbers. 

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